Key Info

- Guardian of fish and sharks

- Accompanied by his pet whale Tutunui

- Known for his battles with the sorcerer Kae

Brief Bio

Tinirau is a prominent Polynesian sea deity, revered across Samoa, Tonga, and New Zealand as the guardian or king of all fish, frequently appearing in myths as a handsome chief or a part-human, part-fish entity. Often linked to the god Tangaroa, he is known for his pet whale (Tutunui), his wife Hina, and tales of vengeance against the sorcerer Kae.

In Polynesian mythology, stories about Tinirau are found throughout the islands of Polynesia. He is a guardian of fish. Many themes recur in the various versions. Often he travels to another land in search of his wife, or his wife travels to another land in search of him; sometimes he treats his wife badly, or she rejects him; while he is guardian of fish, it is his wife who gives the fish their individual characteristics. Sometimes their anxious or jealous relatives try to separate the lovers.

In some traditions, he has a dual nature; one destructive as the guardian of sharks, and one a kind, handsome male youth; in others, his right side is human and his left side is a fish. Alternate names in the various Polynesian languages include Kinilau, Sinilau, Tigilau, and Tinilau.